Oh, you thought Margaret Qualley’s Chanel half-shoes were the apex of the freaky footwear trend? Boy, do we have news for you!
It seems 2026’s most unlikely trend isn’t going anyway, with even more weird and wonderful shoes emerging over the past few weeks. Case in point: Alexander Skarsgård’s latest red carpet outing.
At first glance, it’s like any red carpet outing… and then you see Alexander Skarsgård’s feet. Getty
The Swedish actor never shies away from a quirky fashion statement, and he certainly delivered at the London Film Festival screening of his new movie Wicker on Thursday.
Skarsgård teamed a gold metallic suit with a pair of enclosed shoes that still managed to make his feet the star of the show.
Yes, the oxford-style shoes from Yves Saint Laurent are transparent – perfect for those who just can’t bear to hide their feet from public view. The design features tinted vinyl/PVC and black laces.
The actor rocked up in a pair of transparent Yves Saint Laurent oxfords. Getty
While the unusual shoes have appeared on the runway as part of YSL’s Spring Summer 27 show back in July, this marked their first red carpet outing.
They caused a stir then, and they’re causing one again now.
Judging by social media comments, the main reaction seems to be sheer horror at the thought of just how foggy and sweaty these shoes could get on a hot day.
While we’ve seen transparent shoes in the zeitgeist before, this is the first memorable instance of them being targeted to men. The gals can’t have all the fun, after all.
Skarsgård is in good company when it comes to rocking some fun and freaky shoes.
The Fashion Week events of the past month have also served up a smorgasbord of unusual footwear.
Have a scroll through some of the kookiest ones we spotted:
Rick Owens’ Spring/Summer 2027 show at Paris Fashion Week was full of wacky shoes, including these huge ‘caged’ boots. Getty
These wild wedge boots also turned heads on the runway. Getty
Perhaps a heel-less heel is more your speed? Our heads are spinning trying to imagine walking in these. Getty
At the Thom Browne RTW Spring/Summer 2027 at New York Fashion Week, bugs were the motif du jour, even taking over the footwear. Getty
Susan Fang sent models down the runway in sandals that looked like they were made of Lego at London Fashion Week. Getty
Pom-pom shoes made an appearance at Givenchy’s Paris Fashion Week show, spotted both outside the event – seen here on Kelly King – and on the catwalk. Getty
Blumarine’s Milan Fashion Week Women’s Collection Spring Summer 2027 show also featured texturally interesting shoes, with these feathered sandals a standout. Getty